Texas Holdem Varieites

Texas Holdem Strategies

How to Play Texas Hold em

Texas Holdem has become the most popular form of poker played in casinos today. In this article you will find just an overview on how to play Texas Hold em, basic Texas Hold em rules and fundamental poker tips for this game. This poker game is easy to learn and as you become comfortable with the format you the opportunity to use the skills learned to gamble, bluff, make mathematically sound decisions and use different strategies based on what kind a player you want to be.

Texas Hold em Game

Texas Holdem is considered a community poker game which means that there are cards dealt face-up for the whole table to see and play. In Texas Holdem, each player is dealt two cards face down, called hole cards or pocket cards. These cards are seen by only the player and then combined with five community cards to make the best possible five card hand.

Texas Hold em Rules

There are no antes in Texas Holdem but before a round of poker begins, the two players directly left of the dealer has to put out a forced bet called blinds. There are two, the big blind and the small blind. It is usual for the big blind to be the smallest bet possible and the small blind is usually 1/2 or 1/3 that amount.

Once the blinds are made, each player is dealt two cards face down. These cards are called hole cards or pocket cards. After all the cards are dealt, the first person to act is the player directly to the left of the big blind. This player decides to bet, raise or fold and then the betting continues clockwise until all the betting is completed.

Next, three cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table. These first three cards are called the flop. These are the first three community cards dealt and the cab be used by all players. After the flop is dealt, another round of betting occurs. This time and for the rest of the round, the betting will start with the first player to the dealers left. The betting continues clockwise with all the remaining players being able to bet, check or fold.

After betting is complete, one more card is dealt face up on the table which is called Fourth Street or as the more popular term, the Turn. Again another round of betting occurs with the remaining players

After completion, the last community card is dealt face up on the table. This card is called fifth street or the river. In Texas Holdem, you do not have to use any cards in your hand and use the five community cards as your hand; this is commonly called playing the board. Another round of betting occurs and out of the remaining players the best poker hand wins the pot. In case of a tie, all money will then be split among the players remaining in the hand who have tied.